Chain fastener



an; 3, i928. 1,654,583

c. c. DIBBLE CHAIN FASTENER Filed May a, 1927 In uelz tor (mu/w a fizz/6 UNITE!) STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ooannLIns c. DIIBBLE, or swan-Reece, PENNSYLVANIA.

' CHAIN FASTENEE.

Application filed May 6, 1927. Serial No. 189,268.

The present invention relatesto improvements in fastening devices and has reference more particularly to a simple and efficient means for securing the free ends of a chaln together.

One of the important objects of the present invention is to provide a chain fastener which is particularly adapted for use, 111 con 'necting the end links of the side chains of an automobile skid chain 'so that the skid chain will be properly secured on the vehicle wheel, the fastening means being-of such construction as to prevent the same becoming accidentally opened, yet permitting the fastener to be readily and easily actuated without the loss of any considerable length of time or labor.

A still further object is to provide a chain fastener of the above mentioned character which is simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable and further well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing In the accompanymg drawing forming 1 part of this application:

Figurel is a side elevation of the chain fastener embodying my invention showing H the manner in which the free end link of a chain is locked in the body portion of the fastener, Figure 2 is a top plan view of the fastener per se.

Figure 3 is an end elevation, and Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail perspective view of the rear portion of the body.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates generally my improved chain fas tener, the same comprising a channel shaped body of a suitable length, the bottom of the body being designated by the numeral 2, while the upstanding sides are indicated by the reference characters 3 and 4, respectively. A pair of registering openings 5 and 6 are one end link A of a chain may be'permanently secured to the body at the rear end thereofv in the manner clearly shown in Figure I v Theupper'edges of the sides 3 and 1V of the ehannei shaped body at the forward end is of a width less than the inner formed in the rear ends of the sides 3. and 4 of the channel shaped body whereby thereof are cut away to provide a bill or hook 7 for engagement with the other end link B of the chain and a seat 8 is provided for this end link B at the bottom of the hook or-bill 7 in themanner clearly shown in Figure 1 of the drawing.

The upper edges of the sides are further cut away as at 9 to provide a means for facilitating'the ready and easy gripping of the locking bail, the construction of which will be presently described. a

The sides are further formed with elongated longitudinally extending slots 10 and 11, respectively with which communicate the vertically disposed notches 12 and 13, respectively. in the manner more clearly disclosed in Figure 4.

Also forming an important part of the present invention is the locking bail designated generally by the numeral 14 and the same is formed of a single elongated strand of spring wire bent into substantially U- shaped formation in top plan as more clearly disclosed inFigure 2. The locking bail width of the body and the sides 15 and 16 as well as the crownor face portion 17 of this U- shaped locking bail aredisposed within the body. V

A loop 18 is formed at the forward end of the base or bottom portion 2 ofthe body for engagement over the base or crownportion 17 of the U-shaped locking bail 14 and this provides a pivotal connection between the forward end of the body and the adjacent end of the locking bail whereby said locking bail may be adapted to swing upwardly between the sides 3 and 4 of the channeled body.

The outer free ends of the arms 15 and 16 of the U-shaped locking bail are disposed outwardly as illustrated at 19 and 20 respectively. and-formed on the outer end of the laterally disposed portions are the ears 21 and 22 respectively the same being disposed at right angles with respect to the lateral portions 19 and 20 as is more clearly disclosed in Figure 2. These ears 21 and 22 are of such shape and. size as to be permitted to pass freely through the longitudinally extending slots 10 and 11 formed in the sides 3 and 4: respectively. 2'

; Thearms of the U-shaped locking bail adj acent the base portion 17 thereof are bent ill) and when the parts are arranged in Figure 1 of the drawing, the lateral projections 19 and 20 formed on the free ends of. the arms l5an'd 16 of the U-shaped locking bail 14 will be disposed within. the vertically arranged notches l2 and 13. and due to the re sil-i'enc'y of. the locking bail. the same will be held in its locking positions, so that the end link B. cannot b'ep'ossiblv disengaged from the hook or bill 7 formed at the forward end of the body.

Whenever it becomes necessary to disengage the end link B from the fastener. the curved or handle forming portions 24 of the arms are grasped and pressed inwardly and in the mean time, a downward pres-sure is exerted on the bail to move the lateral projecting portions 19 and 20 out of engagement with the notches 12 and 13 and when thesears 21 and 22 are in registry with the slots 10 and. 11, and a further inward pres sure on the arms of the U-shaped locking bail is exerted, the ears may then be moved inwardly out of the slots and theifree end of the locking bail will then be permitted to be swung upwardly, thus removing the nose portion 23 out of the body whereby said link B may then be free to be. removed from the fastener in. an obvious manner.

It will thus be seen. from the foregoing description that I have provided a chain fastener which may be readily and easily actuated for opening or closing the same and will at all times be positive. and efficient in securing the end links of the chain to gether. Furthermore, the simplicity of my device enables the same to. be constructed at a very low cost and will. at all times be strong and durable.

While I have. shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, it. isto be: understood that minor changes may be made in the size, shape and. arrangement of partswithout departing from the spirit of; the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

' Having thus described the invention, what I claim is LA chain fastener comprising v a body, one end linkof a chain being permanently attachedto one end of the body, the other end of the body being formed with a hook for engagement with the other end link of locking hail, the base portion thereof being 7 operativelv connected to the hooked end of the body. said bail extending across the open tide of the hook, and cooperating means between the frce ends of the arms of the U shaped bail, and said body for securing the bail in a locked position in the body said last mentioned means comprising-lateral projections formed on the free ends of the arms of the U-shaped bail, said body being formed with openings in the sides thereoi inwhich said lateral projections are detachably disposed.

A. chain fastener comprising a channelcd body, one endof'a-chain being permanently attached to one end of, the body, the other end of the body being formed with a hook for engagement with theother end link of the chain, the sides of the body. bciug formed with aseat adjacent the hook for said last mentioned end link, a substantially U-shaped locking bail secured at the crown portion thereof to the hooked end of the body, the arms of the U-shaped bail being bent to provide a nose for closing the entrance to said hook to retain the link in the seat provided therefor, and cooperating means between the free ends of the. arms of the locking bail and the sides of the body for securing the bail in its locking position.

3. A chain fastener comprising a. channeled body, one end of. a chain being, permanently attached to one end of: the body,

the other end of the body being formed with a hook for engagement with the other end link of the chain, the sides of, thebody being formed. with. a seat adjacent the hook; for said last mentioned end link, a substantially U-shaped locking bail securedat the crown portion thereof to the hooked end of the body, thearms. of the U-shaped bail being bent to provide a nose: for closing the entrance to said hook to retain thelink in the seat. provided therefor, and cooperating meansbetween. the freeenids of the. arms of the lockinghail and the sides. of the body for securing the bail inits. locking position,

said last mentioned means comprising lateral project-ions formed on the free ends of the arms, laterally extending ears on the outer ends of the lateral projections, the sides of the channel. body being formed with registering longitudinally extending slot-s throughwhich the ears are freely sli'dable, saidsides being formed with vertical notches which register with the respective slots, and

in "which the lateral projections on the free ends of the arms are d sposed.

In testimony whereof I ailiz; mysignature.

CORNELIUS C. DIBBLE. 

